Method for the detection of compounds comprising methylenedioxyphenyl and testing kit for the same

ABSTRACT

Process and a test kit for the detection of drugs of methylenedioxy amphetamine family and derivatives, are disclosed. The process comprises (a) sampling sufficient amount of a material, suspected to be examined comprise of said methylenedioxyphenyl group; (b) admixing said sample with a sufficient amount of a strong acid reagent; and (c) detecting color gradual appearance and determining accordingly the presence of said methylenedioxy amphetamine drugs in predetermined interval of time. The test kit comprises a strong acid reagent; a color vs time chart comprising means for the detection of a specific drug by means of color and time of appearance, a reaction chamber wherein suspected material and said strong acid reagent are admixed and color is indicated; a sampler having means to collect sufficient amount of suspected material to be tested and to insert it to the reaction chamber.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method for the detection of compoundscomprising interalia methylenedioxyphenyl groups. Furthermore, thepresent invention relates to a testing kit for the detection of drugs,including drugs of the ecstasy family. More specially, the presentinvention relates to a process and to a testing kit for a reliabledetection of drugs comprising interalia methylenedioxyphenyl groups,wherein said compounds are selected fromN-methyl-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ‘ECSTASY’);3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine(MDEA); 3-methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MMDA);N-methyl-1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-butaneamine (MBDB); or3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl-2-(N-ethyl)butaneamine (MD-2-EB).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

On numerous occasions police officers has to determine rapidly whetheror not a suspected materials contains drug and thus quickly establishprobable cause. A rapid and facile test kit can help to detect thepresence of the drug or alternatively to determine whether a testedsample definitely is a drug.

The quickest process known today for drug detection is a color test inwhich the response of the drug to a specific reagent makes it possibleto assign the drug to one or more classes.

Chemical spot test kits have been commercially developed in order toobtain sufficient evidence to detain a drug peddler or drug user. Thosekits are used today for the detection of narcotics and drugs of abuse bymany law enforcement agencies.

The commercial test kits for the identification of drugs containingmethylenedioxyphenyl group such asN-methyl-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (i.e., MDMA or ‘ECSTASY’);3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (i.e., MDA),3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (i.e., MDEA);3-methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxyamphetamine (i.e., MMDA);N-methyl-1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-butaneamine (i.e., MBDB); or3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl-2-(N-ethyl)butaneamine (i.e., MD-2-EB) arebased on the famous Marquis sulfuric acid—formaldehyde reagent whichgives a purple/black or blue/black color (ODV, Inc, NIK, Armour HoldingInc.). This kit, based on sulfuric acid-formaldehyde, is sold alsothrough the Internet for the detection of “Ecstasy”, becoming a seriousproblem in Europe and North America. The kits are sold by Green PartyDrugs Group in the UK (E-Z Test™) and by US based Dancesafe organization(http://www.ecstasy.org).

Clark (“Isolation and Identification of Drugs” Pharmaceutical Press,1986) lists tens of drugs that respond in the same way or similar way toMarquis reagent to MDMA type compound. Furthermore, according to Clark,Marquis reagent gives other color reaction with hundreds of drugs. Thecombination of concentrated sulfuric acid and formaldehyde is a knowncolor reagent (i.e., Le—Rozen test) used for general detection oforganic molecules containing aromatic rings (Feigel, F., Spot Tests inOrganic Analysis, p. 137, 1966).

Due to low specificity of this reagent, one knows it is negative forEcstasy wherein it does not turn to a purple/black or blue-black orblack color by applying the color reaction.

It is thus apparent that aforementioned single color-producing reagentcannot serve usefully as a field-testing kit for the detection of drugscontaining methylenedioxyphenyl group in field conditions, because ofthe possibility of giving false positives color reaction with so manyother substances.

Therefore, when a possible positive color reaction is obtained by theMarquis test, user is advised to proceed to a color test for secondaryamine (such as Simon Reagent) for possible presence of Ecstasy, whichcomprises a secondary amine group. It is thus apparent that a better andmore specific reagent should be a color reaction based on the specificreaction of methylenedioxyphenyl group. An early study (M. Beroza,Identification of 3,4-Methylenedioxyphenyl Synergists by Thin-LayerChromatography, Agriculture and Food Chemistry, Vol. 11, No. 1, p. 51,1963) indicates that compounds comprising said methylenedioxyphenylgroup could be detected by the color developed following reaction withsulfuric acid and chromotropic acid, although MDMA and related drugswere not examined at that study. The color reagent, according to Beroza,is composed of 60% sulfuiric acid and 40% water containing chromotropicacid. The color reagent is used for detection of synergists ofinsecticides by thin layer chromatography (TLC). However, aforementionedTLC apparatus is heated for 30 min at 105° C. This reagent thus cannotbe applied to field-testing of drugs.

A recent method for color reaction of methylendioxyphenyl compoundsbased on sulfuric acid—chromotropic acid was described by HideyukiYamada et al. (Highly Specific and Convenient Color Reaction forMethylenedioxymethamphetamine and Related Drugs Using Chromotropic Acid.Application as a Drug Screening Test, Journal of Health Science, 45(6),pp.303-308, 1999). In this article the authors described a process forthe detection of MDMA and related compounds. The authors stated, “MDMAsdid not exhibit any color on adding sulfuric acid . . . namely, if thesample produces a color on adding sulfuric acid alone, it is not anMDMA” (p. 308). The authors also appended a list of drugs that give acolor reaction with sulfuric acid—chromotropic acid reagent.

The deficiencies of these tests have led the inventor to develop achromotropic acid free reagent, specific for phenethylamine derivatives(i.e., amphetamines) drugs, comprising methylenedioxyphenyl group,wherein said reagent having the means to screen out false positiveresults. This specific reagent allows surprisingly an error-freepositive detection of said methylendioxyphenyl amphetamine compounds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is thus an object for the present invention to provide a process forthe detection of phenethylamine derivatives, also referred hereby asamphethamines drugs, comprising ay least one methylenedioxyphenyl group,comprising, (a) sampling sufficient amount of a material, suspected tocomprise of said methylenedioxyphenyl group; (b) admixing said samplewith a sufficient amount of a strong acid reagent; (c) observing saidsample, and (d) determining a sequence of events, wherein each saidevent comprising gradual color appearance at a predetermined time scale.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention the process asdefined above is provided, wherein said process additionally comprising,admixing of a Simon reagent to said sample, so a characteristic bluecolor reaction is provided in the presence of secondary amines.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention the process isprovided as defined above, wherein said secondary amines are selectedfrom MDMA and MDEA.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention the process isprovided as defined above, wherein said process additionally comprisinga step of determining the sample by means of comparing said evaluatedsequence of events with a color vs time chart.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention the process isprovided as defined above, wherein said detection is either quantitativeor non-quantitative measurement.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention the process isprovided as defined above, wherein said strong acid reagent comprisessulfuric acid or solutions of said acid.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention the process isprovided as defined above, wherein said strong acid reagent is dilutedin solvents, miscible with sulfuric acid, selected from at least one ofphosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid, methanol and water.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention the process isprovided as defined above, wherein a total volume of said strong acidreagent admixed with said sample is in the range between 0.05 to 5milliliter.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention the process isprovided as defined above, wherein said strong acid reagent is asolution of said strong acid in a proper diluent, and wherein said acidto said diluent volume ratio ranges between 90:10 to 60:40.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said processis performed in the temperature range of 4° C. to 60° C. and preferablyat ambient temperature

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the process isprovided as defined above, for the detection of a trace amount of saidphenethylamine derivatives, wherein said amount is preferably in therange of 0.1 to 15 mg.

Further, it is another preferred embodiment to provide the process asdefined above, wherein said process is performed in a batch stepwiseoperation or, at least in part, continuously; and wherein said processis performed either manually or at least in part, automatically.Similarly, said process is preferably provided according to the presentinvention by means of a machine or any other effective apparatus.

It is another object for the present invention to provide a test kit forthe detection of phenethylamine derivatives, also referred hereby asamphethamines drugs, comprising at least one methylenedioxyphenyl group,wherein said test kit comprises of strong acid reagent as defined above.

It is still a preferred embodiment of the present invention the processto provide a testing kit as defined above, wherein said amphetaminedrugs to be determined are selected fromN-methyl-3,4-methylene-dioxymethamphetamine,3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, 3,4-methylene-dioxyethylamphetamine, and3-methoxy-4,5-methylene-dioxyamphetamine,N-methyl-1-(3,4-methylene-dioxyphenyl)-2-butaneamine, or3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl-2-(N-ethyl)butaneamine.

Lastly, it is another preferred embodiment of the present invention toprovide a testing kit as defined above, comprising: (a) a strong acidreagent; (b) a color vs time chart comprising means for the detection ofa specific drug by means of color and time of appearance; and (c) meansfor admixing sufficient amount of said strong acid reagent and thesuspected materials to give a characteristic color reaction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Contrary to the prior art approached for the color reaction ofmethylenedioxyphenyl amphetamine type compounds, it has been found thaton adding a strong acid as a single component, methylenedioxyphenylamphetamine type compounds, hereto referred in the present invention as‘amphetamine’, developed red-violet colors. Furthermore, it wasdiscovered that the color reaction is acid strength dependent. Thus, theacid strength determines (i) the appearance of the color reaction,wherein in case of acid of sufficient strength, (ii) the time of theappearance of said color reaction. The interval of the color appearanceis between instantaneously and several minutes.

According to the mechanism suggested by Yamada et al. (Journal of HealthScience, 45(6), pp. 303-308, 1999) formaldehyde is released frommethylenedioxyphenyl, and the free formaldehyde subsequently reacts withchromotropic acid. However, according to the present invention,red-violet color reaction is developed without chromotropic acid.

According to the present invention it is suggested that at least tworeactions occur in said color-formation mechanism. The first reaction isa cleavage of the methylenedioxy group, namely cleavage of one C—O bond(without a release of formaldehyde, as hereto referred by Yamada etal.). The product from the first reaction can subsequently react withother methylenedioxy specie, cleaved or not cleaved, to form the violetcolor. Moreover, amphetamines give an orange color reaction in thepresence of sulfuric acid and formaldehyde. The red-violet colorobtained, underlines therefore that the color reaction mechanism doesnot comprise significant formaldehyde involvement.

Moreover, strong acids, such as sulfuric acid are not considered as acolor reagent at all (Feigel F., Spot Tests in Organic Analysis, 1966;Jungreis E., Spot Test Analysis, Clinical, Environmental, Forensic andGeochemical Applications, 1984; Clark, Isolation and Identification ofDrugs, 1986). Thus, the probability to get a color reaction by reactingacid with drugs is considerably low.

An aspect of the present invention relates to unique characterization ofthe hereby-invented reagent to act as a ‘clock-color reaction’, which isdefined according to the present invention, as a color reaction whereinthe determined appearance time depends on the acid strength. The higherthe strength of acid reagent, shorter is the time for the color todevelop. While some drugs give color reaction with acid instantaneouslyin any concentration, the appearance of the color reaction withamphetamines comprises of methylenedioxyphenyl group is time dependentaccording to the acid strength. According to the present invention, saidchemical clock reaction refers to room temperature yet it is clear thatby increasing the temperature, the color develops faster.

Exothermic admixing of water with sulfuric acid (70:30 v/v) is followedwith increased temperature. Said strong acid reagent of elevatedtemperature provided an immediate color reaction when admixed with MDMA,wherein said reagent at room temperature provided said color reactionafter a period of about 2 minutes.

The present invention provides an innovative specific reagent to heretoreferred amphetamine drugs, wherein said reagent is highly sensitive toeven trace amounts of methylenedioxyphenyl amphetamine compounds.

According to the present invention, drugs of methylenedioxy amphetaminefamily and derivatives are selected fromN-methyl-3,4-methylene-dioxymethamphetamine;3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine; 3,4-methylene-dioxyethylamphetamine;3-methoxy-4,5-methylene-dioxyamphetamine;N-methyl-1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-butaneamine; or3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl-2-(N-ethyl) butaneamine. It is appreciate thatthat one skilled in the art may use derivatives of said family and thusaforementioned substances are brought as examples for the wider family.

Said strong acid reagent is preferably selected from (i) sulfuric acidand (ii) solutions of said acid with phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid,methanol and water. The reagent does not react with everymethylenedioxyphenyl compound. No color reaction is shown withNarcotine, although it is a methylenedioxyphenyl compound.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a methodfor the detection of compounds comprising methylenedioxyphenyl isprovided by means of determining a sequence of color changes at apredetermined time course. Said ‘detection’ is either by examining thepresence of said amphethamine drugs, its concentration and/or theirspecific amount. Thus, for the reason of easiness, the term ‘presence’shall refer at the present invention for both quantitative andnon-quantitative measurements.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the time scale fordetermination of aforementioned drugs is in the course of 3 seconds toabout 15 minutes. It is appreciated that the period of time requires todetect said drugs is affected by various parameters, comprising yet notrestricted to the temperature, the amount of the active group of saiddrug, the amount of said strong acid reagent, the presence of specificcomponents, inhibitors etc.

Aforementioned process defined above is preferably performed in a batchstepwise operation or, at least in part, continuously. Said process isprovided effective either manually or at least in part, automatically.Similarly, said process is preferably provided according to the presentinvention by means of a machine or any other effective apparatus. Thus,a computer based operation is acknowledged, preferably wherein apersonal computer or any other suitable hand held computer provides forthe steps selected from batching and sampling the tested material;admixing said strong acid reagent and/or Simon reagent; analyzing saidsequence of color changes and determining either quantitatively ornon-quantitatively and further on-line or off-line said drug presence insaid tested sample.

Preferably, said machine, refers in the present invention for anyeffective means to perform at least part of said process automatically,may be in communication with a control box, which may is, for example,said computer. Preferably, the communication is wireless. Alternatively,a cable providing said on-line communication may be used. The operatorof said process may enter commands via a keyboard or any suitablecommand-panel for controlling said process. Said control box may includea display window and software such as Microsoft PowerPoint® for viewingand approving said command prior to its execution by said machine; andfor viewing, storing and processing obtained measurement results.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the test kitconsists of a sampler, up to three crushable, hermetically sealed glassampoules and a reaction chamber. The ampoules are filled with thechemicals required to perform the test and comprises of at least onstrong acid reagent. The sampler takes the exact amount of substanceneeded for test. Suspected material is directly located in the reactionchamber, and the color reaction appears on the sampler.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, Simon reagentis used for the detection of secondary amines. Said reagent ifpreferably comprising saturated sodium nitroprusside dihydrate solutionin methanol. Said Simon reagent is a sensitive and vulnerable materialis certain conditions, so about one drop of said reagent is dropped onsaid reaction chamber. After few minutes the methanol evaporated and thereagent is dry. Additionally, the test kit comprising two ampoules:(1^(st)) sodium carbonate (2%) in water and (2^(nd)) acetaldehyde (10%)in ethanol.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention is a method touse aforementioned Simon reagent containing test kit, comprising (1)sampling suspected material with said sampler so said suspected materialto be tested is inserted to the reaction chamber containing sodiumnitroprusside in dry form-; (2)/breaking 1^(st) ampoule and gentlyshaking its content into said reaction chamber; (3)/breaking 2^(nd)ampoule and inserting its content to said reaction chamber.Characteristic blue color approves presence of secondary amine.

In another preferred embodiment, a water solution (2% v/v) of saidsodium nitroprusside is prepared. Nevertheless, said solution issensitive to light and characterized with acknowledged short self-life.

While the invention will now be described in connection with certainpreferred embodiments in the following examples so that aspects thereofmay be more fully understood and appreciated, it is not intended tolimit the invention to these particular embodiments. On the contrary, itis intended to cover all the alternatives, modifications and equivalentas may be included within the scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims. Thus, the following examples, which include preferredembodiments, will serve to illustrate the practice of this invention, itbeing understood that the particulars shown are by way of example andfor purpose of illustrative discussion of preferred embodiments of thepresent invention only and are presented in the cause of providing whatis believed to be the most useful and readily understood description offormulation procedures as well as of the principles and conceptualaspects of the invention.

EXAMPLES

The following description is provided to enable any person skilled inthe art to make use the invention, and sets forth the best modescontemplated by the inventor of carrying out this invention. Variousmodifications, however, will remain apparent to those skilled in theart, since the generic principles of the present invention have beendefined specifically to provide for the detection of hereto referredamphetamines and a testing kit for the same.

Example 1 Color Reaction of a Strong Acid Reagent with Various Materials

A trace amount (e.g., 1-3 milligrams) of drugs are added to a small testtube. 0.5 ml of 98% sulfuric acid is added to said test tube. The colordevelopment was examined visually and described below:

-   -   Positives: MDA, MDMA, MDEA, MBDB, MDP-2-EB—immediate appearance        of red-violet color.    -   Other colors: Thebaine—immediate appearance of red-orange;        Diphenhydramine, Furosemide, Naproxen—yellow; Prometazine—pink        and Nicotineamide, Clomiphene citrate—brown.    -   Negative (no color): Amphetamines, such as Amphetamine,        Methamphetamine, Nexus, DOB, Ephedrine; other pharmaceuticals        and illicit drugs, comprising Metadone, Cocaine, Heroin,        Paracetamol, Procaine, Phenthylene, Codeine, Caffeine,        Papaverine, Pentobarbital, Nitrazepam, Diazepam, Flunitrazepam,        Oxazepam, Morphine, Efedrine, Methaqualone, Lignocaine,        Tetracaine, Phenacetin, Phenmetrazine, Meprobamate, Antipyrine,        Chinin, Pethidine, Strychnine, Barbital, Cyclobarbital,        Amobarbital, Propoxyphen, Atropine, Homatropine, Phencyclidine        (PCP), Scopolamine, Narcotine, Chloropromazine, Perphenazine,        Fluconazole, hydroxyine, pseudoephedrine, Doxazosim,        Sulphamethoxazole, Tolbutamide, Propylthiouracil, Cephalexin,        Loperamide, Chlorothiazide, Felodipine, Quinidine bisulphate,        Finasteride, Benzocaine, Oxprnolol, Alendromate, Bromocripitine,        Ranitidine, Fluoxentine, Enalapril maleate, Propoxyphene,        Famotidine, Tranexamic acid, Amoxycillin, Cloxacillin,        Candesatan cilexetil, Cimetidine, Bromazapam, Haloperidol,        Bromahexine, statin compounds such as Simvstatine, Valporic        acid, levodopa and Norfloxacin.

It should be mentioned that Chloropromazine and Perphenazine that gavepink color with sulfuric acid and chromotropic acid (as previouslydescribed by Yamada et al.)—do not give any color reaction in thepresence of sulfuric acid as a single component.

Example 2 Clock Reaction with Queous Solutions of Sulfuric Acid

As described previously the color reaction is not developed immediately,but begins with a pale violet color, which gradually intensified. Thetime in the table indicates the appearance time of a faint color.

A trace amount (i.e., 3 milligrams) of drugs were added to a small testtube. 0.5 ml of different aqueous sulfuric acid compositions was addedto the test tube. The color development was examined visually: Time ofColor Appearance (sec) H₂SO₄/ MDP-2- H₂O (v/v) MDMA MDA MDEA MBDA RBThebaine Diphenhydramine Prometzine 90/10 5 5 5 5 0 0 0 0 80/20 20 20 2020 20 0 0 0 75/25 60 60 60 60 60 0 0 0 70/30 120 120 120 120 120 0 0 060/40 ND* ND* ND* ND* ND* 0 0 0ND* - No color reaction was detected after 15 minutes.

It should be mentioned that Clomiphene citrate, Furosemide, Naproxen andNicotineamide, that give color reaction with 98% sulfuric acid, so notgive color reaction with 75% sulfuric acid aqueous solution.

Example 3 Clock Reaction with Sulfuric Acid/HCl (32%)

The reactions were performed as described above, and color developmentwas examined visually: Time of Color Appearance (sec) H₂SO₄/ MDP-2- HCl(v/v) MDMA MDA MDEA MBDA RB Thebaine Diphenhydramine Prometzine 80/20 00 0 0 0 0 0 0 70/30 60 60 60 60 60 0 0 0 60/40 ND* ND* ND* ND* ND* 0 0 0ND* - No color reaction was detected after 15 minutes.

Example 4 Clock Reaction with Sulfuric Acid/Methanol

The reactions were performed as described above, and color developmentwas examined visually: Time of Color Appearance (sec) H₂SO₄/ MDP-2-CH₃OH (v/v) MDMA MDA MDEA MBDA RB Thebaine Diphenhydramine Prometzine90/10 5 5 5 5 5 0 0 0 80/20 10 10 10 10 10 0 0 0 70/30 60 60 60 60 60 00 0

Example 5 Clock Reaction with Sulfuric Acid/Phosphoric Acid (85% aqueoussolution)

The reactions were performed as described above, and color developmentwas examined visually: Time of Color Appearance (sec) H₂SO₄/ MDP-2-H₃PO₄ (v/v) MDMA MDA MDEA MBDA RB Thebaine Diphenhydramine Prometzine80/20 10 10 10 10 10 0 0 0 70/30 20 20 20 20 20 0 0 0 60/40 105 105 105105 105 0 0 0

It is evident to those who are skilled in the art that the presetinvention is not limited to the details of the forgoing illustrativeexamples, and that the present invention may be embodied in otherspecific forms without departing from the essential attributes thereof,and it is therefore desired that the present embodiments and examples beconsidered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive,reference being made to the appended claims, rather than to theforegoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning andrange of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embracedtherein.

1. A process for the detection of drugs of methylenedioxy amphetaminefamily and derivatives, comprising: a) sampling sufficient amount of amaterial, suspected to be examined comprise of said methylenedioxyphenylgroup; b) admixing said sample with a sufficient amount of a strong acidreagent; c) detecting color gradual appearance and determiningaccordingly the presence of said methylenedioxy amphetamine drugs inpredetermined interval of time.
 2. The process according to claim 1,additionally comprising, admixing of a Simon reagent to said sample, soa characteristic blue color reaction is provided in the presence ofsecondary amines.
 3. The process according to claim 2, wherein saidsecondary amines are selected fromN-methyl-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine and3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine.
 4. The process according to claim 1,additionally comprising comparing color appearance with color vs timeschart.
 5. The process according to claim 1, wherein said detected coloris red-violet.
 6. The process according to claim 1, wherein saiddetection is either quantitative or non quantitative measurement.
 7. Theprocess according to claim 1, wherein said strong acid reagent comprisessulfuric acid or solutions of said acid.
 8. The process according toclaim 1, wherein said strong acid reagent is diluted in solvents,miscible with sulfuric acid, selected from at least one of phosphoricacid, hydrochloric acid, methanol and water.
 9. The process according toclaim 1, wherein a total volume of said strong acid reagent admixed withsaid sample is in the range between 0.05 to 5 milliliter.
 10. Theprocess according to claim 1, wherein said strong acid reagent is asolution of said strong acid in a proper diluent, and wherein said acidto said diluent volume ratio ranges between 90:10 to 60:40.
 11. Theprocess according to claim 1, wherein said strong acid is in theconcentration range of 50% to 100% (v/v).
 12. The process according toclaim 1, wherein said strong acid is in the concentration range of 70%to 80% (v/v).
 13. The process according to claim 1, performed in thetemperature range of 4° C. to 60° C.
 14. The process according to claim1, performed at the temperature range of 18° C. to 27° C.
 15. Theprocess according to claim 1, performed with a trace amount of saidphenethylamine derivatives, wherein said amount is in the range of 0.1to 15 mg.
 16. The process according to claim 1, performed manually. 17.The process according to claim 1, performed at least in its partautomatically.
 18. The process according to claim 1, performed by abatch stepwise operation.
 19. The process according to claim 1,performed at least in its part continuously.
 20. The process accordingto claim 1, for the detection of drugs of methylenedioxy amphetaminefamily and derivatives in the presence of secondary amines, additionallycomprising: a) opening the container comprising sodium carbonate (1%) inwater, and gently shaking its content into a reaction chamber whichcomprising a drop of saturated sodium nitroprusside in dry? methanol; b)opening a container comprising acetaldehyde (10%) in ethanol andinserting its content to said reaction chamber, wherein characteristicblue color approves presence of secondary amine.
 21. A test kit for thedetection of drugs of methylenedioxy amphetamine family and derivatives,wherein said test kit comprises of strong acid reagent as defined inclaim 1, comprising: a) a strong acid reagent; b) a color vs time chartcomprising means for the detection of a specific drug by means of colorand time of appearance; c) a reaction chamber wherein suspected materialand said strong acid reagent are admixed and color is indicated; d) asampler having means to collect sufficient amount of suspected materialto be tested and to insert it to the reaction chamber.
 22. The test kitaccording to claim 21, wherein said amphetamine drugs to be detected bysaid test kit are selected fromN-methyl-3,4-methylene-dioxymethamphetamine,3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, 3,4-methylene-dioxyethylamphetamine, and3-methoxy-4,5-methylene dioxyamphetamine,N-methyl-1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-butaneamine, or3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl-2-(N-ethyl)butaneamine.
 23. The test kitaccording to claim 21, wherein said strong acid reagent comprisessulfuric acid or solutions of said acid.
 24. The test kit according toclaim 21, wherein said strong acid reagent is diluted in solvents,miscible with sulfuric acid, selected from at least one of phosphoricacid, hydrochloric acid, methanol and water.
 25. The test kit accordingto claim 21, wherein the total volume of said strong acid reagentadmixed with said sample is in the range between 0.05 to 5 milliliter.26. The test kit according to claim 21, wherein said strong acid reagentis a solution of said strong acid in a proper diluent, and wherein saidacid to said diluent volume ratio ranges between 90:10 to 60:40.
 27. Thetest kit according to claim 21, additionally comprising Simon reagent.28. The test kit according to claim 27, wherein the Simon reagent iscomprising a) a container comprising sodium carbonate (1%) in water; b)a container comprising acetaldehyde (10%) in ethanol; c) trace amount ofdry sodium nitroprusside in the reaction chamber.